Combination inflow controlling and fluid discharge means



May 26, 1936.- M. s. YOUNG zymlfiw COMBINATION INFLOW CONTROLLING AND FLUID DISCHARGE MEANS Filed Feb. 2, 195 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 26, 1936.

M. S. YOUNG COMBINATION INFLOW CONTROLLING AND FLUID DISCHARGE MEANS Filed Feb. 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

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Patented May 26, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT QFFlCE COMBINATION INFLOW CONTROLLING AND FLUID DISCHARGE 1VIEANS 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in liquid dispensing devices and more particularly to an improved nozzle or control head having a cut-oil or non-drip mechanism which will prevent undesired leakage or overflow after the desired amount of liquid has been dispensed.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a control nozzle for a dispensing mechanism which is provided with a pressure controlled closure valve so that the nozzle is always maintained in a filled condition to facilitate accurate discharge and on the cessation of pressure, the nozzle will be sealed shut to prevent drip or overflow.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatically opening valve for a liquid discharge nozzle in which the pressure of the liquid flow will open the valve after a certain minimum pressure is exceeded, such valve being provided with a lock to prevent accidental opening.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combination discharge control means for opening flow of liquid from a dispensing source to a concealed filling opening of a normally non-refillable dispensing container in which flow of liquid from said dispensing container can take place only after the dispensing container is in position and the pressure of discharge exceeds a predetermined minimum.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a fluid tight coupling for a dispensing discharge nozzle and a normally non-refillable receiver having a concealed inlet to prevent unauthorized filling of the receiver, such coupling including a pressure actuated, non-drip discharge nozzle valve which is adapted to simultaneously open the receiving inlet for the through flow of liquid.

Another specific object of my invention is to provide an automatically operated, pressure controlled cut-off valve in a dispensing container discharge nozzle which coacts with a normally closed inflow control of an otherwise non-refillable container in which the pressure actuated valve is normally held closed and locked against accidental opening, but which will be unlocked as a receiver is secured in place, so that when the discharge pressure is adequate, flow through the valves into the receiving container will be opened and when the container is removed, the continued flow or drip from the discharge nozzle is prevented.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following disclosure thereof, taken in connection with the attached drawings which show preferred forms of embodiment of my invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation with parts in section of my improved discharge nozzle with the receiving conduit also partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View showing a detail of the valve controlling member in engaging position.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view partly in section of a modified form of discharge nozzle.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the discharge nozzle shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the discharge nozzle showing the operating lever.

Many industries at the present time require the transfer of liquids from one form of container to another through the medium of nozzles or other couplings. As a specific adaptation, although I am not so limited, the retail dispensing of lubricating oils, comes within this class. Ordinarily there is a pump and a unit container such as a quart can or bottle. With such equipment there is often an objectionable drip or continued flow and in many cases, due to return flow from the nozzle, a part of a measuring stroke is required to initially fill the discharge conduit.

I have now developed a simple, positive and readily operated control valve for dispensing systems and especially of the manual operated type. Again, my particularly described equipment exemplifying my invention is adapted to the lubrieating oil dispensing field although many of the features are adaptable for handling any of the various liquids, whether they be semi-viscous or entirely free flowing.

In addition, I have also specifically applied my invention to a preferred type of combination discharge and inflow control of the broad type heretofore disclosed in my Reissue Patent No. 19,366 issued Nov. 6, 1934 and my Patent No. 1,984,005 issued Dec. 11, 1934. In such patents, I have disclosed a system for preventing unauthorized substitution of liquids in containers in which especial cooperating discharge nozzles for the dispensing apparatus and inflow control means for the receiving container were provided. The inflow control effectively prevented other refilling of the receiver except by the particular authorized discharge nozzle.

My present invention relates to special features of development of the broad system and in particular, I have now provided liquid supply cut-01f means to prevent drip at the nozzle, and such control may be adapted to operate inflow control mechanism of the type to prevent unauthorized substitution of liquids. I therefore not only control the discharge in a preferred manner, but I may also control the inflow in the combination nozzle structures.

The cut-off of discharge is not only to stop the flow as in the non-drip apparatus, to prevent waste and avoid spilling and dirtying of the containers, which is of course very important, but it is also to facilitate accurate measuring as my improved cut-off mechanism will maintain the nozzle full and the full discharge of the pump can therefore be obtained. As a separate feature of my invention, I have also provided controlling means to prevent accidental discharge when no container is in position to receive the discharge. A simple release mechanism is similarly provided so that a deliberate discharge can be obtained if desired.

My invention includes a pressure operated valve which however is to be distinguished from the heretofore known valves in that the pressure of the usual oil dispensing pump begins only when discharge is desired and the operator is customarily employed in operating the pump and is not free to handle the nozzle and hold the container. Discharge is desired as soon as the pump is operated and on low pressures. I therefore provide a readily opened valve which, however, is held closed by all pressures not in excess of a minimum.

As an example of one form of apparatus embodying my invention, I show in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, not only the minimum features essential to non-drip control, but also a particular form 01' cooperating valve mechanism for opening to fiow an otherwise non-refillable container to permit filling from an authorized source. In this construction, a control head, generally indicated at I0 is connected as by a conduit I2 to any preferred or usual type dispensing apparatus such as a pump, (not shown), and one which may be either manually or mechanically controlled. I also show a preferred form of nozzle to be attached to a bottle or other unit receptacle shown in dotted outline at I3, such nozzle being indicated at I4 and being of generally cylindrical shape and adapted to coact with the interior of the control head.

The control head II! is provided with a pressure actuated means I6 and in this particular embodiment this pressure actuated means is shown to be a common type of piston. It may however, be any other form of device which will translate fiuid pressure into linear movement such as a diaphragm or other element. The pressure actuated member I6 controls a link in the form of a piston rod 20 which in turn operates a valve 22 and a spring or other compression device I8 operating on the pressure actuated device I6 will normally hold the valve against its seat 23.

Under normal circumstances, the flow of liquid in the conduit I2 and into the receiving chamber Illa. of the control head will act on the pressure actuated means I6 which is held in valve closure position by the spring I8. When the pressure increases in the chamber Ifla to overcome the compression of the spring I8, the valve member 22 will move off the valve seat '23 so that there can be a fiow of oil into the receiving nozzle. If the pressure becomes less than the equivalent to the pressure of the spring I8, however, the flow through the head will stop and there will be a prevention of drip or overflow.

As a supplementary feature, I provide a control for the pressure actuated means to prevent accidental discharge of liquids even if the pressure should become too great. In this form of embodiment, the control head I0 is preferably provided with a movable relief member 25 which has a cam surface 26 coacting with a cam surface Ifia on the top of the pressure actuated piston I6. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the relief member 25 prevents an opening movement of the pressure actuated piston I6 and will therefore lock the valve 22 on its seat. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, however, the relief member 25 may be moved into a second position indicated in dotted lines 25a. in Fig. 2 and shown in full lines in Fig. 3. In this position, the cam 26 being moved away from restraining position, the pressure actuated member I6 may move to unseat the valve 22 if the liquid pressure becomes sufficient. The pin 2| operating in slot IIlb prevents rotation of the pressure actuated member I6.

There is no rearward movement of the liquid and one way valves are not normally necessary. As increase of pressure is required to open the valve, so negative pressures or the tendency to form a vacuum will increase the seal of the valve 22 due to the differential of areas. The control head is thus maintained in a full condition so that the commencement of pumping will immediately discharge liquid. Accurate measurement can therefore be obtained. Furthermore, the control point is at the end of the control head, directly adjacent the intake nozzle so that there is no variation in operation or possibility of inflow of air to break the seal.

These features heretofore described are the essential elements of my invention and may of course be modified in various ways to suit different types of discharge apparatus. I consider it desirable however, to prevent drip and undesired discharge, to provide the pressure opened valve which is automatically closed as well and to provide a lock where such control is found desirable. In the following description, I refer to added elements by which the simple elements of my non-drip device may be especially adapted container may be conveniently discharged and by which filling must take place. The receiving nozzle I4 is preferably provided with an internal valve 30 which is normally held closed by suitable spring means 30m and would normally open only under discharge pressure within the unit container. Such construction prevents filling of the unit container except by authorized equipment which in the present form of embodiment of my invention includes a valve operating rod 3i which as shown in Fig. 3 is provided with a cone shaped head 32. This head acts as a coupling with the valve member 22 which has a plurality of pins 36, more particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The pins 36 are normally held outward by the spring 36a and to permit this movement, which would release the coupling, the nipple 38 has a cam surface or enlarged area indicated at 31. As shown in Fig. 1, the pins being retracted, the valve control rod head 32 can be moved into the coupling member or valve 22. This valve 22 is loosely mounted in the piston rod 20, as shown at 22a in Fig. 1. Fluid pressure on the pressure actuated member causes an upward movement of the valve 22. Such movement will move the pins 3% along the walls of the nipple 38, out of the enlarged or cam area 31 until they project under the head of the cone 32 as shown in Fig. 5. The pins 36 thus positively engage the control rod head 32, and form a coupling between the pressure actuated member IS, the discharge control valve 22 and the inflow control valve 30.

Release of the coupling is automatically accomplished by relaxing the fluid pressure. When the fluid pressure becomes less than the pressure of the spring the valve 22 is returned to its seat, allowing the pins 36 to be drawn outward by the spring 360, thus releasing the head 32 so that the nozzle may be completely withdrawn. It will thus be seen that the coupling of the valves is dependent upon the nozzle l4 being held in position. A form. of holding means is described hereinafter.

The nozzle l4 may be provided with suitable slots or control channels Ida and such slots are adapted to coact with suitable guide pins 40 and d8 carried by the rings 43 and 45 respectively in the control head Ill. When the nozzle 14 is in the upper position, the pins lll are about in the bottom of slot Ma, and in alignment with the cam slot Mb. The ring 43 in the control head is not rotatable whereas the ring 45 which receives the relief arm extension 251), is rotated when the pressure release arm 25 is moved into relief position. As the pins 48 which are carried by such ring are still in engagement with the slot Ma, the nozzle it is simultaneously rotated as the pressure actuated member I5 is released for operation. This movement of the nozzle also forces the cam slot Mb along the pins 40, thus camming the nozzle l4 upward to lock it in leak proof contact with the face of the nipple 38 and aligning the parts of the nipple and receiving nozzle at 23 as shown in Fig. 4. At the same time, ring 43 being movable axially, is compressed against a wavy pressure spring 44 to prevent accidental loosening.

After the nozzle l4 has been placed in position and then looked tight, the pressure actuated member I5 is free to operate when the dispensing apparatus has built up a sufficient pressure. After the control head is full of liquid, this will be at the commencement of the discharge stroke. The pressure actuated member it will then open the discharge valve 22 and in turn this will open the inflow control valve 30 to fill the unit container as desired. As soon as the flow stops, the discharge valve 22 will close to prevent further drip and the inflow control valve 30 will then close to prevent further intake. The nozzle may then be removedfor storage of the container until the unit quantity of liquid is wanted and the removal of the container will simultaneously lock the discharge valve closed toprevent accidental discharge. This is effected by the cup 4| being lifted to clear the pins 40 which permits the ring 43 to move axially. When the ring 43 is returned to the closed position, Fig. l, the cup M is returnd to its position by the spring 42 engaging both pins 40 and 48 in its slots, and preventing axial rotation of the ring 53, thereby locking the discharge of the control head.

A modified form of construction shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is particularly adapted to fit a ledge or hidden opening type of filling nozzle construction such as shown in my prior Patent No. 1,984,005, issued December 11, 1934. In such construction the control nozzle 56 is mounted on the fluid discharge conduit El which is normally connected to a dispensing pump or other device, for supplying liquids under pressure. This particular type of nozzle has a cylinder 52 which may be separately capped at 52a, such cylinder having a piston 53 which is connected by a piston rod 54 to a valve member 55 to cooperate with and close the discharge opening 56. The valve member 55 having the gasket 55a is preferably pivoted for movement such as at point 51 and is normally held in a closed position by a spring 53. As in the prior structure, it is obvious that the piston may be any other type of pressure actuated-device such as a diaphragm and that various types of spring or other tension devices can be used to hold the valve closed.

In normal operation, the valve 55 is held closed and the spring 58 will determine the amount of pressure in the conduit 58 which s essential to open it. Any pressure in the conduit less than the equivalent pressure of the spring will tend to seal the valve closed, due to differential of areas, and will maintain the vale tight under all normal conditions. Pressures in excess of the effective pressure of the spring 58 will act on the pressure actuated piston 53 to cause a movement in the cylinder 52 which will open the valve so that under normal delivery pressures, the liquid will be freely discharged. As soon as the pressure drops, the valve will act as an automatic cut-off and prevent drip or leak or overflow.

As a supplementary locking feature for this form of embodiment, I may provide a cam 36, on the cam shaft 6| which is controlled by the rotation of the lever 62 as shown in 8. If the lever 62 is in the position as shown in Fig. 8 the cam will contact with the top of the piston 53 to positively prevent opening of the valve 55. The lever may be moved to a position such as shown in Fig. 6 in which the cam is out of contact so that the valve may be opened.

In my preferred construction, I provide a control to hold the receiver in position while being filled. For this purpose a hand grip arm 63 is pivoted on an eccentric 64 which is carried by a transverse cam member 65 shown in Fig. 6. The arrangement is such that the cam member 65, when brought into position to receive the projection 66 on the ledge of the intake nozzle 61 of the container I!) will be prevented from rotation. This will hold the eccentric E4 in such a position that the abutment on the arm 53 will pass the stop 69 and thus allow the lever 52 to which it is connected, to move in a counterclockwise direction. The nozzle 61 and the container it are therefore simultaneously held in a proper cooperating posi- 6 tion for the inflow of liquids and the cam (-36 is simultaneously released so that the pressure of a discharged liquid will open the valve to fill the container.

As soon as the container is filled to the desired point, the movement of the arm 63 to a releasing position to release the nozzle 61 will lock the valve in a closed position and the additional movement will release the cam 65 so that the bottle may be removed. All drip is therefore prevented and accidental discharge of liquid is avoided when no nozzle is in place.

It will thus be seen that my apparatus may be applied to liquid control, regardless of the nature of the liquid'and that for dispensing purposes, especially of measured quantities. I am able to prevent all drip and to assure a cut-off that is entirely automatic. The control head is also susceptible to operating other linked mechanism such as of the normally non-refillable type, or it may be adapted to the hidden aperture type of equipment to prevent unauthorized filling and substitution of materials.

While I have shown preferred forms of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that other modifications may be made thereto and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of the disclosure thereof and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A control for a liquid dispensing apparatus which comprises a valve near the point of discharge, and a pressure actuated means in operative connection to said valve whereby said valve may be opened on adequate pressure on said pressure actuated means, means to hold the valve closed irrespective of the pressure, means to close the valve on less than adequate pressures, and means to release the valve holding means only when a receiving nozzle is in cooperative relation to receive the discharge.

2. A control for a liquid dispensing apparatus which comprises a valve near the point of discharge, and a pressure actuated means in operative connection to said valve whereby said valve may be opened on adequate pressure on said pressure actuated means, means to hold the valve closed irrespective of the pressure and means to transfer movement from the pressure actuated means to a normally closed cooperating receiver to simultaneously open both to flow.

3. A combination discharge and inflow control for coupling a dispensing apparatus and an otherwise non-refillable receptacle which comprises a control head on the dispensing apparatus and a receiving nozzle for the receptacle, a pressure operated valve in said control head and a one-way valve in said nozzle: and internal coupling means to couple said valves whereby liquid discharge pressure will simultaneously open both valves to flow.

4. A combination discharge and inflow control for coupling a dispensing apparatus having a control head to an otherwise non-refillable receptacle having a receiving nozzle, a pressure operated valve in said control head and a one-way valve in said nozzle, automatic coupling means to couple said valves whereby liquid discharge pressure will simultaneously open both valves to flow, and releasable means to normally hold said pressure actuated valve closed.

5. A combination discharge and inflow control for coupling a dispensing apparatus having a control head to an otherwise non-refillable receptacle having a receiving nozzle, a pressure operated valve in said control head and a one-Way valve in said nozzle, coupling means to couple said valves whereby liquid discharge pressure will simultaneously open both valves to flow, releasable means to normally hold said pressure actuated valve closed, and means to lock said control head and discharge nozzle together, said locking means releasing said valve holding means when the control head and nozzle are held together.

6. A combination discharge and inflow control coupling for filling an otherwise non-refillable receptacle which comprises a discharge control head and a receiving nozzle, a pressure operated valve in said control head and a hidden normally closed one-way valve in said nozzle, and automatic coupling means to couple said valves when said nozzle is in position in said control head whereby liquid discharge pressure in said discharge control head will simultaneously open both valves to flow, and means to close said control head valve to stop further discharge and prevent drip.

'7. The combination of a fluid inlet conduit, a discharge nozzle provided with a fluid passage, means on said nozzle for locking said nozzle in fluid-tight engagement with said inlet conduit, and means within said fluid passage for closing oif flow upon removal of the inlet conduit after completion of a filling operation to prevent dripping from the nozzle, said means including a pressure operated valve adapted toopen on increase of discharge pressure beyond a predetermined minimum said valve being released by the movement of the locking means on the nozzle to locking position.

8. The combination of a fluid inlet conduit, a discharge nozzle provided with a fluid passage having an outlet near the end thereof, means for forcing said nozzle into fluid-tight engagement with said inlet conduit, and means within said fluid passage for closing off flow upon removal of the inlet conduit after completion of a filling operation to prevent dripping from the nozzle, said means including a pressure operated valve normally sealing said outlet and adapted to open on increase of discharge pressure beyond a predetermined minimum, said valve being released by the movement of the locking means on the nozzle to locking position, and being locked against opening under any pressure when said nozzle is released from the inlet conduit.

9. The combination of a fluid container with an inlet, a discharge nozzle provided with a fluid passage having an outlet near the end thereof, means for forcing said nozzle into fluid-tight engagement with said inlet, and means within said fluid passage for closing off flow after completion of a filling operation to prevent dripping from the nozzle upon removal of the container, said means including a pressure operated valve normally sealing said outlet and adapted to open on increase of discharge pressure beyond a predetermined minimum, positive means to hold said valve closed, including a cam, and a lever to operate said cam, said lever being operated by the means for forcing the nozzle into fluid tight engagement whereby said valve is released only when a container is in liquid tight position.

10. A coupling for opening an otherwise nonrefillable receptacle to flow, such receptacle having an intake receiving means with a hidden valve and a valve rod to operate such valve, said coupling including a fluid discharge means, said fluid discharge means including a pressure operable member and a linkage, said linkage engaging said valve rod, and means on said linkage operable by movement of said pressure operable member to lock said linkage to said valve rod and to open said valve to fluid flow.

MARVIN S. YOUNG. 

